'Idol' judges shouldn't blame the songs

Posted: Monday, March 02, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under: TV

It came up over and over again last week on "American Idol." Instead of critiquing the singers' voices, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges fell back and blamed the song choice.

Come on, Simon: Think of better criticism than 'song choice.'

"I really like you, but I absolutely hated that song," Simon told welder Matt Breitzke Wednesday night.

"Completely the inappropriate song for you, but you do have great legs," he said to Jeanine Vailes, sounding more than a little like a creepy old man.

Well, I'm not exactly a fan of the Tonic and Maroon 5 songs they picked, either, but should that really be the judging criteria at this point?

Yes, some of the songs the singers choose are awful. If I never hear anyone attempting to hit a Whitney Houston high note again, that will be just fine with me. But if the judges don't want to hear those songs, they should hand out a list of acceptable choices (which does happen once they get to the finals).

I think criticizing song choice can be fair if the singer has gone way out on a limb and picked something that they just can't handle. You need to know your own limitations -- it's hard to argue with that -- and many of these singers don't. But even then, it should be only part of the critique. Too often, it seems like the judges get lazy and blame the song instead of really dissecting the performance of the song, even if they didn't like the choice.

A friend of mine thinks that 99 percent of the time when the judges harp on "bad song choice" they really mean "bad genre choice." They've already pigeonholed the singers into different boxes -- oil rig roughneck Michael Sarver looks like a country guy, even though he hasn't sung country on the show. Don't get out of your pre-assigned box, people! If Simon decides R&B is your genre, don't try a pop song (Jasmine Murray was dinged for this Wednesday night).

The one judge I cut some slack about the song-choice criticism is Paula Abdul. You can see that it is physically painful for her to say anything bad about a performance. She blames the song, which saves her from saying anything negative about how it was sung, and then brightly goes on to compliment the singer's looks. But that's Paula. Simon should know better.

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Comments

I agree completely! It should be a singing competition, not a song choice competition. The winner won't get to choose their own material for a while anyway, so why not have the judges pick the songs for them now? They sure are paid enough, but then they would be open for criticism themselves.

Rob E., Frederick, MD (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 10:29 AM)

Your interpretation of "song choice" is wrong. Any singer knows that it IS about the song and whether you can sing the song you choose. Remember, throughout the show, they are expected to sing different genres, such as country, big band, 60's, etc., so even if a singer is pigeon-holed as pop, they have to be versatile. Example: R & B is Fantasia's genre, but she did an excellent rendition of Gershwin's "Summertime." Also, not every poor song choice has been the big songs. Contestants make the mistake of picking songs they like, but it doesn't mean they have the ability to sing it, big or not. I'm a singer and I believe your assessment is wrong. The judges do have it right.

Taylor, New York, NY (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 10:30 AM)

Idol is limited by songs for which they have performance and arrangement rights . . . not all songs in the world are available to these contestants.

I often hear songs on the radio and think "Wow, that would make a good Idol tune but never hear it performed". This makes me wonder just how restrictive song choice really is at this level of the competition.

Renee, Lancaster, OH (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 10:36 AM)

No I disagree. At this point a singer needs to totally hit it out of the box with some major pipes or they will not go through. If you have a great song that is too subtle it will not let your voice stand out or if you pick a weaker genre than the one that got you to this point it will hinder you.In the next rounds you dont have to win every time just not lose and you can experiment as long as you dont bomb. So song choice for your voice is very important right now.

lspirit Az (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 10:56 AM)

I think the comment on "bad song" generally is applied to contestants who pick a song that is not a good match for their voices or delivery style. It takes more than just vocal talent to convey a song well--you need the right attitude, delivery, timing, tone, emotional core, etc. From what i saw of last week's judging the problem was mostly with singers trying to choose something that was just a total non-match for their personal style. Imagine Dolly Parton trying to do "Highway to Hell"--she is an incredible singer, but the song would be a terrible match for her.

Carlton Fisher, Watertown, NY (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 11:07 AM)

I disagree. Casey Carlson is a perfect example of bad song choice. Her selction was so inappropriate, you couldn't tell if she could sing or not because it was so totally mismatched.

Ethel Merman, Twin Cities, MN (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 11:09 AM)

My thought is the judges should just disappear completely instead of muddling up the issue. They're obviously very biased anyway toward certain genres. For example, can you imagine Simon EVER complimenting a country song. Thus the success of people like Underwood, Covington, Pickler, etc. who did just fine in the real world despite criticism from the judges. I guess they don't know that Country is one of the most popular styles in the US

Phil, San Antonio, TX (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 11:12 AM)

I agree.......and one minute Randy is critisizing song choice, and the next he says you can sing the alphabet song as long as you sing it great.

Alan, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 11:53 AM)

IT shouldn't matter if they sing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" as long as they do it well. Maybe the judges should pick one song and have them all sing it then it would be based on their ability.OH! that would be too easy!

Gaye Fox, La Luz, NM (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 11:55 AM)

I don't agree with you. Well, in theory I might. In THEORY it seems like it would be easy to critique the performance even if the song wasn't the best song for the person. And I admit I have no experience as a musical critic (except as an armchair critic) but so often I can hear someone singing and know they are a good singer...but the song just didn't help them at all.

Because I don't have the musical critic background I can't put it into words what the problem is but I'll try. Sometimes the song stays within the same few notes which would make it the wrong song because it doesn't show any range of the singer. You don't even need to enter the Mariah or Whitney songs into the mix. The "wrong song" most of the time is different than picking a song that is TOO much song for an amateur.

I can usually tell, the minute I hear what the song is, that it's going to be a bad idea. I don't know most of the contestants yet so I don't have them pigeonholed (and I also don't think it's a bad genre choice either.) "Man in the Mirror?" That Maroon 5 song? I said "This is a stupid song choice" the minute I heard it! Do I like these songs? Yes, but they're not the right SHOWCASING song. They don't say "Hey, I CAN SING, I CAN PROVE IT!" But there may have been another MJ or Maroon 5 song that would have been better. It's not just the genre since so many songs/artists now cross genres.

Like I said, I have trouble putting it into words, but many, many, many of the songs people are singing ARE boring (not a lot of differing notes, SLOW, etc.) I don't mean that people need to sing fast, uptempo songs all the time. And there are cases where they sing an uptempo song but it doesn't work because their voice doesn't fit it, or they end up shouting the uptempo chorus or whatever. But that kid who sang "Georgia on my Mind" In Hollywood? That was slow but it was GOOD.

Sorry to go on so long. I may not be able to explain it, but I am sitting at home with the judges saying "That was the wrong song!" I totally understand it and think it does make it hard to judge these kids who (for the most part) CAN sing. They just can't sing the wrong song.

Sarah K, Edinboro, PA (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 11:59 AM)

In order to judge a performance one needs to consider three objectives... Yeah the music choice, the vocal performance and the musical arrangements/Band performances... The latter was a major disapointment in last weeks show...

Bernard W. White (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 12:05 PM)

sometimes we forget that these are inexperienced kids just kids that love to sing. This is what they are on the show for. To BECOME famous recording artists. If we like the way they sing we vote for them and it's up to the professionals working with them to help them. Sometimes I feel that it isn't all their fault, they are supposed to have professionals working with them before they go on stage. So some of that wrong choice should belong to them.

debbie,torrance,calif (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 12:17 PM)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this trend on the show. It's annoying to hear a performance and like it, only to hear the judges say it was bad because of the song choice and that's it. I think sometimes they don't like a performance, but can't figure out why. So, they turn to their copp-out "wrong song" answer. Even worse, is when they tell a contestant what kind of song to pick, then they turn around and tell them it was a bad song choice. Make up your minds!

Craig Crowley, Dallas, Texas (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 12:43 PM)

Anoop sang Angel of Mine beautifully but he really needed to sing an uptempo song to keep the viewers' interest. Song choice hurt him but he is one of the best singers this year and should be brought back for the Wild Card. There is a great fan video called Noop Dog Millionaire that can be seen at YT. Worth watching.

Noop Fan, NC (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 12:47 PM)

I think song choice has a huge amount to do with who succeeds and who doesn't on Idol. It's all part of being aware of who you are vocally and what you are capable of doing. Jasmine picked a song "because she liked it". The song is no where near her vocal range, and didn't make sense.

The judges don't say "bad song" because of the song. They say bad song choice because it's up to the contestants to choose the right thing for them to sing.

And, on a side note, there are times where Simon does actually appreciate some country songs. He gets that some singers are pulled that way, and that with the money he makes off Carrie, that it is a viable business.

Lyntegra, California (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 12:50 PM)

I think you are totally wrong this IS NOT a singing competition. It is a competition as to who will win to get a recording contrast. If person can't choose good songs then they deserve to be sent home.

Nathan Syracuse Utah (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 1:08 PM)

Just to add my 2 cents worth... It seems to me that the new format they're using to get to the top 12 is going to put a number of people that should be there on their way home. This eliminating 9 at a time at this pointis terrible. I much preferred that they pick the top 24 and sent them off 2 by 2 to get to the top 12.

Brad, Minnesota (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 1:51 PM)

Yeah u're misinterpreting what they mean for "song choice." Simon wont dump on someone for singing a song that he just doesnt like in general. He harps on them when the song doesnt fit the singer, and in that, I think he (and the rest of the judges) are dead-on. If your forte is R&B than stick to R&B and dont try to do Maroon 5. To take drastic jumps in gentre and style shows an identity crisis within the singer; a lack of self confidence and intelligence, which are two of the traits that define what the judges are looking for with this competition.

Geo, PA (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 2:18 PM)

I get what you're saying, but it is song choice, too. When the song doesn't have enough range to show off the singer's voice and capabilities, then it's a wasted effort. And just because you really like the song, or it has special meaning to you, like Matt Breitzke, doesn't mean it's the right song for you to sing, particularly in a competition. So many of the AI singers don't comprehend that simple fact.

Ethel Lipschitz (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 3:43 PM)

I don't mind the criticism of song choice so much in this round, especially if there are technical issues like pitch. The contestants have a wide range of songs and genres to choose from, and should be able to find something that works. The problem is that most of them have a favorite song that "means something" to them. Every time I hear that before a performance, I know it is going to go badly.

What I hate is when they have a night of just Dolly Parton songs or Beatle songs, etc, and then they complain about song choice. You lock the contestants into singing songs from a very limited collection that may only have three or four great songs, and then have the audacity to rip half the singers for singing a mediocre or non-challenging song.

Stuart, Boise, ID (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 4:04 PM)

I was on American Idol and you do get a list of 'approved songs' but only due to copyright. Part of being a good singer is learning to sing to your voice.

Season 2 Girl (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 5:05 PM)

I wish they would help the singers with this part - most of them are just kids and very inexperienced. They may sing the song they love the most because they don't really understand all the complexities that make a song work on stage. So some people with really good voices go home while some with only mediocre voices stay. If you really want to see the best voices stay - help them with song choice. Help them understand what kinds of song will show case their talent the best. Then we really would have the best competing against each other. And please don't tell me that bucky and pickler are giants in the country community or I will have to throw up. Both of them have mediocre voices at best. They will not be around in 10 years.

ann, portland oregon (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 5:18 PM)

I saw the program of the second and third 12 and thought that this probably was the worst batch of singers that I have seen on Idol. I think the judges, even Simon, sometimes try to let singers down easy by saying that they made the wrong song choice. I also don't like the format because the singers only have one shot. If they have a bad night, they're out unless they've got a great side story.

Paul Fraser, Mexico, DF (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 5:32 PM)

Paul Fraser, Mexico, DF (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 5:35 PM)

I think Jesse sang that song particularly well, but her chatti-ness, experience, & self-confindence came off as arrogant. It's not a bad song choice for her; I guess she could sing Jingle Bells & still makes it sound better than others. The judge NEVER had someone like her on the show, so they didn't know what to make of her. The solution? Bad song choice. Yeah, whatever. As Simon said, she's too cool for school (AI stage). I like her & how she adds a little some n' some to the song, not too much, but just right. Paula & Simon liked her, so I hope she will come back as a wild card with Anoop. The rest that were sent home were picked the songs that they have NO emotional connection to. So, let quote James Carville here. "It's not the song, stupid. It's how the singers sing the song."

Annia (Sent Monday, March 02, 2009 9:33 PM)

AI is about finding a marketable well rounded vocalist/entertainer,
With that said, song choice is key, you don't hear little Ms. Umbrella
Trying her pipes at big diva hits, she is not that kind of artist.

The song choices last week were just sad- the moment the title was
Uttered, I saw train recks.

Chris, hollywood FL (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:52 AM)

It gets really boring hearing the same thing over and over after almost every performance. The song choice should be a little part of the judging, because they need to learn their boundaries, but the judges need to continue on and critique the singers' voice. That is the reason we watch the show...

Melissa, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:57 AM)

I agree with the judges that song choice is very important. When I sang in some contests years ago we were judged on how we sang the song, how we interpreted the story it was telling. There were lots of songs that we would have liked to have sung, but they were just too difficult or that had too many notes that weren't within our comfort zones vocally. Think of a song and how many different artists have performed it and what makes it better by one over the other is how they told the story, what did they do with it vocally. I agree with one of the other comments, I think it would be interesting to pick a song and have all of the contestants sing that one to see how they would perform it. There are alot of songs that I have heard that have crossed over from one music type to another so that might be a very interesting concept.

Kaye, Davenport, IA (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 11:35 AM)

It really gets on my nerves when they criticize the song choice. Just rate the voice! They dont and shouldnt have to cater to what the judges think they should be singing. It is all so negative (except for Paula), that it is hard to believe how any of the contestants keep their cool at all.

Peggy, Pgh., Pa. (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 2:04 PM)

They are not going against the song persay-it's just that some people can't sing certain songs...or at least they really shouldn't. Some songs should just be left the way they are...no changes no new spin no new voice...i think that is where the judges were going with that specific critique

Caiti, Freehold, NJ (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 2:31 PM)

Disagree. I think the comment on "song choice" was right. Straight reason : they had greate voices, no one can deny that. If differnt songs of differnet tunes were given to an individual, we would have surely been able to pick which song he sounded best in. Which means, there is a song type that suites best to his voice.

Yuryengwon, Bangalore (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:13 PM)

Sometimes even when the judges DO pick the songs for the contestants (near the end of the competition; the last couple of weeks) the songs don't fit the singers and it's like the judges are setting them up for a fall to be voted off.

R.J., San Diego (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 5:26 PM)

So tired of the same songs on Idol, Simon always discourages R&B material so the Artists who excell in that area are forced to sing songs which do not suit them at all.

J (Sent Wednesday, March 04, 2009 12:01 AM)

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'Idol' judges shouldn't blame the songs

Posted: Monday, March 02, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under: TV

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'Idol' judges shouldn't blame the songs

Posted: Monday, March 02, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper Filed Under: TV

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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under: TV